Lifting the Lid... October Carmine Box

The Carmine box is the newest of all the beauty boxes (this is actually the first box) and seems to contain slightly more makeup products than the rest along with a few skincare samples.

Also this is definitely aesthetically different to most of the other monthly boxes.. which makes a change.

The PriceEach month the Carmine box includes 5 high end samples for £10.00 plus £2.75 for p&p totalling £12.75 per month. Also there is an option to purchase a box as a gift with a choice of two boxes so that you can select the contents you prefer. Website - here. The PackagingFirstly I love that the box is different from all the rest especially that it's black and the motif on the front is quite swish. However the box seems slightly too large for the products inside though this may be to accommodate future larger full size products. The only one negative is that the lid of the box is SO hard to get off... the first time I opened it or should I say, didn't open it, it took me at least 5 minutes to get into it. It's one of those annoying boxes that creates a type of suction and just won't come off unless you borrow a 3rd hand to help you hold the box whilst you pull off the lid. However I do love the deep red paper sizzle and the red ribbon - which I will be saving for a Christmas present!

Trind Nail Repair - If I had nails that needed some TLC then this would of been an amazing product as it is full size. However not all was lost as I gave this to my mum who seemed quite pleased with it. I did however try it out first and have to say it did apply on the nails really nicely and made them look quite nice for bare nails.

Balance Me Super Moisturising hand cream - I always seem to enjoy Balance Me products so this was nice to see even though I have so many hand creams now. Handy for keeping in a handbag!

Danial Sandler eyeshadow in Peach - When I opened this I thought it was definitely a 'meh' product... just peach, bland and shimmery/glittery. BUT I thought it was worth trying out to see if I was right or not... and I was actually proven totally wrong about it. I applied it over a gold shimmer e/s from the Urban Decay Naked Palette and it literally just looked lovely. Not too peachy looking at all but just light and shimmery and very pretty. This also can be used as a highlighter I have found.

Caudalie Sorbet Creme - Another product I know I just won't use so again I gave this away. However Caudalie products are nice so it is a nice sample if you do use facial moisturiser.

The Balm Frat Boy Blusher - This has to be my favourite product from the box as I love the Balm products, so I was delighted to see this. The packaging is just perfect and the shade is so wearable and is so finely milled which to me shows a really good quality powder.

Positives I love how this box contains a really good mix of products and also not ones that are really expensive to purchase at full size. It also seems like it's been thought out quite well in terms of products as I'm sure this box would suit quite a lot of people.

Negatives My only negative would have to be the box as like I mentioned I just couldn't remove the lid, which also means I can't re-use to box because again I won't be able to remove the lid. They must of known about this issue with the box design but didn't correct it!

Overall this beauty box is spot on for me! Yes, two products aren't that suitable for me personally but they are actually good products that I don't mind passing on. Really do feel this is worth the £13 price tag.